Creative Space for Creative Minds

By Beverly Pereira

Photography:Robert Hoernig; courtesy IFG

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Innocean Worldwide’s Frankfurt office reflects the agency’s creativity and transparent attitude...

Stuttgart-based architecture firm Ippolito Fleitz Group’s flexible and modern office environment for the European headquarters of the Korean advertising agency comes as no surprise as the young, design-conscious agency epitomises the positive impact of open communication and flexible workspaces.

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Catering to this need for a creative atmosphere that is constantly in a state of flux and that promotes healthy interaction and exchange of ideas, the architects incorporate an open-plan within the 2,800 sq m four-storey fit-out.

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On entering the spacious, glass-encased reception, key elements of movement and dynamism come into play. An intricate suspended ceiling installation, comprising shimmering spheres constructed out of micro-perforated satin-polished aluminium, stand out against the warm wooden reception, reacting to the natural light flow, casting captivating shadows on the floor.

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Wooden swing chairs, for employees and guests, cater to the company’s collaborative philosophy. Polygonal spatial elements with all-green interiors act as semi-public meeting spaces, while white geometric furniture with pops of orange bring in a contemporary touch. This, against predominantly white and grey walls, promotes a sense of vibrancy.

 

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The element of continuity pursues through many such open work zones, an employee library and the fifth-storey in-house gym that commands excellent views of the city.

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The only discreet public spaces are the conference zones that carry such muted colours as grey, black, beige and white, apt for both client and employee meetings.

 

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One constraint faced during the design process was to blend in Ippolito Fleitz’s contemporary design character with the building’s strong architecture executed by architects Schneider+Schumacher during the 1990s’. But the architects, well versed in creating unique identities for clients, simply communicated their design intention in the simplest way possible and this, felt the team, was in part easily executed, thanks to the client’s open-minded attitude.